Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 28 points at the opening bell. Trading could be volatile as traders roll over positions in the F&O segment from the near month July 2018 series to August 2018 series. The July 2018 F&O contracts expire today, 26 July 2018.

Overseas, Asian stocks climbed tracking gains in US shares. US equities advanced Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump reached an agreement with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker aimed at averting a transatlantic trade war.

Back home, a divergent trend was seen yesterday, 25 July 2018 as the Sensex ended with small gains while the Nifty 50 index ended with minor losses. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 33.13 points or 0.09% to settle at 36,858.23. The Nifty 50 index fell 2.30 points or 0.02% to settle at 11,132.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 1195.75 crore yesterday, 25 July 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 97.64 crore yesterday, 25 July 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Bharti Airtel, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, ITC, Maruti Suzuki India and Yes Bank will announce April-June 2018 earnings today, 26 July 2018.

On a consolidated basis, net profit of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) rose 43.15% to Rs 1472 crore on 18.78% rise in net sales to Rs 28283.45 crore in Q1 June 2018 over Q1 June 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 25 July 2018.

Net profit of Hero MotoCorp fell 0.53% t

o Rs 909.17 crore on 10.39% rise in net sales to Rs 8809.82 crore in Q1 June 2018 over Q1 June 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 25 July 2018.

On a consolidated basis, net profit of Ambuja Cements fell 4.70% to Rs 684.46 crore on 7.81% rise in net sales to Rs 6835.12 crore in Q2 June 2018 over Q2 June 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 25 July 2018.